4 Indianapolis teens charged in fatal shooting of 3 men, 1 woman
Four teenagers were charged with murder Wednesday in the fatal shooting of three young men and a young woman found slain in a ransacked Indianapolis apartment, authorities said.
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Booker T. Washington in Indiana topic of Black History Month CLE
The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana celebrated Black History Month last week with a public presentation of Booker T. Washington, an important activist and leader in the African American community.
Reversal: Driver at fault in wreck liable for repaired truck’s diminished value
A woman whose vehicle rear-ended a pickup truck in a Bloomington wreck is liable for the truck’s diminished value after it was repaired, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday in a reversal.
COA rejects separation-of-powers argument in probation revocation appeal
A man contesting the revocation of his probation did not convince the Indiana Court of Appeals that an Indiana statute violates the separation-of-powers provisions of the Indiana Constitution. The appellate court instead found, based on its own precedent, that the statute is not unconstitutional.
Reversal: Burglary conspiracy expungement petition wrongly dismissed
A man’s petition for expungement of his criminal record for his involvement as a lookout during a residential burglary almost 20 years ago has been reinstated after the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday that a southeast Indiana trial court erred in dismissing it.
DNR: Fish kill near Portage likely caused by ‘natural event’
About 200 fish that were found dead Sunday in a northwestern Indiana river likely died due to natural causes, state wildlife officials said.
7th Circuit rejects ineffective-assistance claim on direct appeal
A federal inmate who chose to raise an ineffective-assistance claim on direct appeal has lost his bid to overturn his guilty plea, with the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals finding that his strategic decision to raise the issue on direct appeal led to a lack of sufficient evidence.
Warehouse owner wins cost of removing property in appeal after lease default
The owner of a Westfield warehouse is entitled to recover the costs of removing abandoned property in addition to unpaid rent after a tenant defaulted on lease payments, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday in a partial reversal. The cost of removal is twice the unpaid rent, according to the ruling.
Indiana panel backs ban on drivers using handheld phones
A proposal to ban drivers from using handheld cellphones on Indiana roads is advancing in the state Legislature after testimony from people who have been injured or lost loved ones in traffic crashes caused by distracted drivers.
Source: AG Barr tells people he might quit over Trump tweets
Attorney General William Barr has told people close to him he’s considering quitting his post after President Donald Trump wouldn’t heed his warning to stop tweeting about Justice Department cases, an administration official told The Associated Press.
Lake Michigan shore fight continues in court, Legislature
The years-long struggle between public and private rights along Indiana’s Lake Michigan shoreline continues in the Indiana Statehouse and in federal court, even as the state marks the two-year anniversary of a landmark Indiana Supreme Court decision that ruled in the public’s favor.
Marion Superior retention interviews to be held in March
The second iteration of retention interviews for Marion Superior judges will begin in less than a month. The Marion County Judicial Selection Committee set aside March 9 to interview the 13 Marion Superior Court judges seeking retention while also opening the window for applicants seeking to fill one of three pending vacancies on the trial court bench in Indianapolis.
Web Exclusive: Young attorneys engage diverse youth on careers in legal profession
While various programs such as the Conference for Legal Education Opportunity encourage more diverse attorneys in the legal profession, a career in the law still seems unattainable for some. But many new attorneys are sharing their experiences with students in middle schools and high schools in hopes of showing what the profession has to offer.
Stafford: Attorneys, heal thy profession: Answer victims’ calls for help
One of the saddest parts of my job is when a victim of an unscrupulous lawyer calls, asking in exasperation, “Is there anything that can be done about this?” The very saddest part is the realization that, deep down, the caller already knows the answer is no, or next to no. The legal profession has no contingency when one of its own who swore an oath goes rogue and steals from vulnerable clients. This must change.
State aims to extend Healthy Indiana Plan
Indiana has submitted a request for a 10-year extension of its Medicaid alternative program, the Healthy Indiana Plan, and still included is the suspended work requirement that was imposed on some enrollees in the public assistance program but is currently under review by the courts.
Pro Bono Matters: Pro Bono Indiana helping maximize, streamline state districts’ efforts
There’s a new pro bono organization in town, and it’s bringing a relatively large change to Indiana’s pro bono system. Pro Bono Indiana was established at the beginning of this year to consolidate the administration of Indiana’s pro bono districts while still preserving the autonomy of the local nonprofit programs that have been serving the pro bono districts for years.
Hammerle on … “Birds of Prey” and “Just Mercy”
Movie reviewer Robert Hammerle wonders why more people are not flocking to “Birds of Prey,” while “Just Mercy” is an emotionally moving film that hits close to home.
Breaking barriers: Women’s White Collar Defense Association chapter brings opportunities
To elevate Indiana women in the traditionally male-dominated white-collar defense bar, the Indianapolis chapter of the Women’s White Collar Defense Association was founded in 2015. The primary goal of the group is to build a referral network so female lawyers are likelier to get handed a case or asked to represent a client.
Controlling costly care: Lawmakers weigh surprise billing, transparency legislation
The idea of increasing health care affordability and cost transparency has received bipartisan support, but the devil has been in the details. Even so, federal lawmakers feel confident Congress will enact legislation to end surprise billing this year, while Indiana lawmakers say they’re committed to creating state solutions to drive down Hoosier health care costs.
Law Student Outlook: Women still face challenges in the legal profession
While reflecting on our time writing this column, it became clear that we have not addressed an important aspect of our lives and future legal careers: We are women in the law. Obviously, the legal field has historically been dominated by men, and usually those who are well-off. In our time in law school we have seen a growing movement of greater diversity in the field, paving the way for different groups of people to make their mark in the profession and on the legal landscape.